RATING:
5 = Excellent. One of the best songs this year! I'll rave about it and crave for it.
4 = Good stuff. I'll get it on CD and put it on REPEAT.
3 = Average. I'll tape it off the radio and consider buying it on CD.
2 = Tolerable. I'll listen to it on radio and probably will get sick of it in no time.
1 = CRAP. I'll turn the radio off as soon as I hear it. Already on my shitlist.

N E W - R E L E A S E S

Def Leppard "Promises"
Rating: 5
With Classic Rock being reaffirmed at radio with staples such as Buckcherry's "Lit Up" (rock and roll) or Loudmouth's "Fly" (real kickass metal), another component must be fulfilled. This void is the days of 80's hair metal. Although Def Lep focused on the music rather than the hair, the vibe is still there and it's brought back on "Promises". However, "Promises" is not just rehashing the old stuff. It shows progress. The riffs are tighter, more focused and the sound is way bigger than that of frequently compared Hysteria singles. This single takes the essential vibe of the 80's (great melodies, loud backing vocals) and combines it with 90's technical excellence. It's nice to get excited about rock again.

Red Hot Chili Peppers "Scar Tissue"
Rating: 4
Sounds like "Under The Bridge", doesn't it? The Chili Peppers are back and the single is nothing groundbreaking, but it's real alternative music back. I can't count how many crap alternative / modern rock bands that have come and go the past few years. It's nice to see them back and the song is just relaxing and refreshing. The guitar also sounds great, again, very Under The Bridge. If you close that critical eye for a second, you'll really enjoy this track.

Alice In Chains "Get Born Again"
Rating: 3.5
The new Alice In Chains, like the new Chili Peppers, is kindof a return to their roots. Same stuff, 1999 isn't about moving rock forward as a progressing art form, so I guess it takes off the pressure. So "Get Born Again" is dark, typical but most importantly, unique. There have been a LOT of Alice In Chain wannabe bands, some that suck, others that rock. The only thing they have in common is the inability to duplicate this sound. It's Jerry Cantrell and Layne Staley, come on, they only come once in a lifetime. So enjoy this new track, because it may be one of their last.

The Offspring "The Kids Aren't Alright"
Rating: 3.5
Although the Offspring have successfully achieved a place in my "Most Annoying Bands" list after the oversaturation of "Pretty Fly" and the annoying crap known as "Why Don't You Get A Job", they've earned back some of that respect with the new single. "The Kids Aren't Alright" is the Offspring sounding like the Offspring again. Even a good solo in there from Noodles. The song's got that car-chase vibe and it really makes you want to get up and bang your head. Great stuff.

A - S E C O N D - L O O K

Sammy Hagar "Mas Tequila"
Rating: 4.5
It's great to see Sammy back, finally, making music that kicks ass. After the mediocre Marching To Mars, Sammy brings back his drinking, relaxing and good old fucking around. "Mas Tequila" is infectious, full of great riffs and solos, and creates a powerful Latin-type tequila-drinking energy that is distinctly Sammy Hagar.

Previous Reviews
Buckcherry, Train, Godsmack, Virgos Merlot, Jonny Lang.